Jesse Lingard demands got telling reaction from Newcastle but transfer priority has not changed

Newcastle United were wary of smashing the club's wage structure to sign Jesse Lingard earlier this summer before the attacking midfielder joined Nottingham Forest.

Eddie Howe is a long-term admirer of Lingard and previously tried to sign the 29-year-old on loan from Manchester United in January as the Newcastle boss looked to add more goals to his side. ChronicleLive previously revealed that Lingard was 'gutted' to miss out after the Red Devils demanded an exorbitant loan fee.

It is obvious why Howe attempted to bring in Lingard in the mid season-window. Lingard's goals, alone, helped West Ham secure 10 points during his previous loan spell at the London Stadium and he also chipped in with four assists.

Newcastle could still use a player like that now, as the Magpies' search for firepower continues, but, tellingly, Howe did not resurrect a move for Lingard earlier this summer. Although Newcastle would, obviously, not have had to pay a transfer fee to sign Lingard, the club would have had to agree a hefty signing-on fee and make the England international the squad's highest earner.

In fact, Lingard has become the highest paid player in Forest's history after signing a one-year deal with the club. Various sums have been briefed, including a jaw-dropping figure close to £200,000-a-week, but Lingard is thought to have signed a deal worth at least £120,000-a-week including bonuses.

Howe is conscious of not disrupting the harmony of the group with each new addition and, as talented as Lingard is, a number of key players would have legitimate grievances if he was paid more. There will come a time in the future where Newcastle will break that ceiling, but it will be done gradually as the club climbs the table and revenues are